South Sudan appoints Ambassador to Kenya

Newly independent Republic of South Sudan has appointed Majok Guandong its ambassador to Kenya.

Ambassador Majok Guandong previously served in the same capacity within the united Sudan government.

The new ambassador was introduced to the members of the African Diplomatic Corps stationed in Nairobi by Kenya's acting foreign minister Prof George Saitoti at a breakfast meeting on Thursday.

“I take this opportunity to state that Kenya’s relations with the new government of the Republic of South Sudan have now been elevated to full diplomatic status at Ambassadorial level upon mutual consent,” Prof Saitoti told the African heads of missions.

Kenya elevated its Consulate in Juba, South Sudan to a fully fledged mission two days after South Sudan declared its independence from Khartoum.

Prof Saitoti recently announced that the government would soon dispatch an Ambassador to Juba.

“The government fully understands and is aware of the task ahead for the country. We have therefore elevated our consulate in Juba to an embassy and the President will soon announce the Ambassador to head up the mission in South Sudan,” Prof Saitoti said on Monday.

Abyei issue

Currently, the Kenyan consulate in Juba is headed by Cleland Leshore.

The Republic of South Sudan officially became the 54th African nation on July 9, after years of civil war, which claimed the lives of more than two million people.

Prior to their declaration of independence, South Sudan operated a liaison office in Nairobi that pursued their interests.

Prof Saitoti said North and South Sudan be assisted in their efforts on post-conflict recovery and reconstruction as well as development.

He said Kenya will continue the pursuit of outstanding issues in the peace process in Abyei, Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile States regions.

“We have to work with both parties to ensure the completion of the North/South Border demarcation; the holding of the referendum in Abyei and the finalisation of the post-CPA arrangements, particularly the sharing of oil revenue and the fate of South Sudanese still in Northern Sudan,” he said.

“We believe that it is important that both Governments in North and South Sudan should honour their commitments by addressing these matters for sustained peace.”